Liver Cancer

What is liver cancer?

Cancer begins when healthy cells change and grow

ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT MORREALE/VISUAL EXPLANATIONS, LLC. © 2004 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY.
out of control, forming a mass called a tumor.
A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous
tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread
to other parts of the body. A benign tumor can grow
but will not spread. Primary liver cancer is cancer that
begins in the liver. About 80% of primary liver cancer is
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Other types of primary
liver cancer include bile duct cancer and angiosarcoma,
a cancer of the blood vessels in the liver.

What is the function of the liver?

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body and
is essential for digesting food. The liver performs many
other functions, including collecting and filtering blood
from the intestines, removing toxic wastes from the body,
storing energy, and making proteins. No one can live
without a liver.

What does stage mean?

The stage is a way of describing where the cancer is located, if or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting other parts of the body.
Doctors also consider liver function when determining the cancer’s stage. There are 4 stages for HCC: very early stage, early stage,
intermediate stage, and advanced stage. Find more information at www.cancer.net/liver.

How is liver cancer treated?

The treatment of HCC depends on the size of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, whether the tumor can be removed with surgery,
and the person’s overall health. Treatment also depends on liver function. People who develop liver cancer may have liver damage related to
infection (viral hepatitis), exposure to chemicals (alcohol and some industrial solvents), or fat buildup caused by obesity. Surgery to remove
the tumor or liver transplantation are the most successful treatment options, but only a few patients are candidates for these treatments.
Other options to eliminate a tumor are thermal ablation, which uses heat to destroy cancer cells, and radiation therapy. Targeted therapy
and injecting chemotherapy or radioactive particles into the liver’s blood vessels may also be used to treat HCC. When making treatment
decisions, people may also consider a clinical trial; talk with your doctor about all treatment options and the goals of each treatment.
The side effects of liver cancer treatment can often be prevented or managed with the help of your health care team. This is called
palliative care and is an important part of the overall treatment plan.

How can I cope with liver cancer?

Absorbing the news of a cancer diagnosis and communicating with your health care team are key parts of the coping process. Seeking
support, organizing your health information, making sure all of your questions are answered, and participating in the decision-making
process are other steps. Talk with your health care team about any concerns. Understanding your emotions and those of people
close to you can be helpful in managing the diagnosis, treatment, and healing process.

ASCO ANSWERS is a collection of oncologist-approved patient education materials developed by the

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for people with cancer and their caregivers.
Questions to ask the health care team WORDS TO KNOW
Regular communication is important in making informed decisions about your health Benign:
care. Consider asking your health care team the following questions: A tumor that is not cancerous

• What type of liver cancer do I have? Biopsy:

Removal of a tissue sample that is
• Do I have cirrhosis of the liver? What does this mean? then examined under a microscope
• Do I have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? What does this mean? to check for cancer cells

• Am I a carrier of the hepatitis B or C virus? What does this mean? Cirrhosis:

Scarring of the liver due to damage
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me? or long-term disease
• What stage is the liver cancer? What does this mean? Chemotherapy:
• Can the tumor be removed surgically? Can I receive a liver transplant? The use of drugs to destroy
cancer cells
• Would you explain my treatment options?
Hepatectomy:
• What clinical trials are available for me? Where are they located, and how do I find out more Surgical removal of the cancerous
about them? part of the liver
• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why? Lymph node:
• What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both? A tiny, bean-shaped organ that fights
infection
• Who will be part of my treatment team, and what does each member do?
Malignant:
• How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my A tumor that is cancerous
usual activities?
Metastasis:
• What long-term side effects may be associated with my cancer treatment? The spread of cancer from where it
began to another part of the body
• If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?
• Where can I find emotional support for me and my family? Oncologist:
A doctor who specializes in
• Whom should I call with questions or problems? treating cancer
• Is there anything else I should be asking? Prognosis:
Chance of recovery
Find more questions to ask the health care team at www.cancer.net/liver. For a digital list of Radiation therapy:
questions, download Cancer.Net’s free mobile app at www.cancer.net/app. The use of high-energy x-rays to
destroy cancer cells
Tumor:
The ideas and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Clinical An abnormal growth of body tissue
Oncology (ASCO) or The Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO. The information in this fact sheet is not intended as
medical or legal advice, or as a substitute for consultation with a physician or other licensed health care provider. Viral hepatitis:
Patients with health care-related questions should call or see their physician or other health care provider promptly Inflammation of the liver caused by
and should not disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of information encountered a virus
here. The mention of any product, service, or treatment in this fact sheet should not be construed as an ASCO
endorsement. ASCO is not responsible for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to
any use of ASCO’s patient education materials, or to any errors or omissions.

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